Sunak urged not to strike without MPS’ vote

RISHI SUNAK is facing fresh calls to give MPS a vote on future strikes against the Houthis in Yemen after the UK joined a third wave of bombings over the weekend.

The most senior MP in both the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party issued statements yesterday saying now was the time for the House of Commons to have a vote. Downing Street figures argued when the first strikes were made on Houthi targets last month that the action was limited and in self-defence, and so no vote in the Commons was needed. But since then bombings have been carried out two more times. With the Houthis again warning that they would keep firing on Red Sea ships, the potential for more strikes remains.

There is no constitutional need for MPS to sign off military action, but it has become a convention ever since Sir Tony Blair gained Commons approval for the Iraq invasion in 2003.

Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: “We support the case for limited strikes, so long as they remain limited. However, it is absolutely vital that Parliament has an opportunity to have its say, via a debate and a vote.

“It is becoming increasingly worrying that the Prime Minister seems to be doing all he can to avoid a proper debate and accountability in Parliament.”

Caroline Lucas, the only Green MP, told The Telegraph: “There is no more serious decision a Government can take than to launch military action and it’s therefore essential that Parliament has the opportunity to express its views – all the more so given the tinder box which is the Middle East right now.”

Labour is yet to call for a vote, with Sir Keir Starmer standing by Mr Sunak’s decisions to approve action against the Houthis. Asked why he had not recalled Parliament ahead of the first round of strikes, Mr Sunak argued the action taken was “limited and necessary”.